Banned trade hits Vietnam animals

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Researchers have warned that plant and animal species in Vietnam are being devastated by demand for traditional medicine and trade in illegal meat.

Two reports indicate that despite Vietnam's promise to combat the smuggling, tigers, monkeys, snakes and anteaters are all at risk.

Vietnam is one of the most bio-diverse countries in Southeast Asia.

But these studies warn that without urgent action hundreds of species are at risk.

According to one report in the Journal of Environment and Development, 4,000 tonnes of illegal animal products are trafficked in Vietnam each year, generating black-market revenues of $67m (£33.5m).

Researchers found that animal parts from tigers, bears and rhinos could be bought in markets in Hanoi.

Uphill battle

The use of traditional medicine is widespread in Vietnam with over 9,000 centres licensed in the practice, but the use of unapproved remedies poses a significant threat to many species of plants and animals.

The indigenous species involved in the trade are mostly sourced from Vietnam's national parks.

Forest rangers tasked with the protecting the parks only earn around $50 per month and each ranger must police an average area of 1,500 hectares.

The Vietnamese authorities continue to try to crush the illegal trade - just last week they seized more than two tonnes of live snakes in a truck en route to China.

But as these reports show, the government is fighting an uphill battle against rampant trafficking.